If you are looking for the ultimate modern wedding ceremony reading, To Be With You by Josie Balka is an absolute gem. Balka, who is a total powerhouse as a New York Times best-selling author, broadcaster and poet, completely nails what real, long-term love actually looks like. Instead of using stiff, old-school poetry or dramatic clichés, she writes about the stuff modern couples actually want: a safe space where you can just be 100% yourself and a love where you don't have to perform or hide your messy sides.

What makes it even better is how down-to-earth it is about the actual teamwork of marriage. Josie writes about how being together takes the pressure off, because you finally have someone to help carry the heavy lifting that life throws at you. While a lot of traditional readings focus on grand, movie-like romance, this poem keeps it wonderfully real by hyping up the quiet, everyday moments. It reminds everyone that a great marriage is built on simple things, like cosying up to watch TV at night or just watching the seasons change together. Because the language is so clear and conversational, your guests will actually understand and connect with every single word on the first listen - so definitely keep some tissues handy for those happy tears.

The words are below, and we have also included a printable that can be downloaded here.

Ceremony Reading: To Be With You by Josie Balka

To be with you is to be entirely me,

The exact way I’d be as if no one were watching except you’re there too.

I am me and I am loved because of it.

To be with you is to be me but with less pressure,

Because you are there to bear the other side of the weight that life has to offer

It romanticises the simple things I love to live for,

Like changing leaves and summer days and reading on the couch at night.

It makes me somehow love them more because I exist with you while it happens

all around us.

To be with you is exactly where I want to be,

Exactly as I am,

Exactly as you are.

Read all of our ideas for weddings readings in the one place here